Saori kept on running until she ran out of breath.
But even though her lungs were on fire, she did not stop her feet. After all, there's someone on her back who was currently at the risk of dying, how could she care about her own wellbeing right now?
She's not about to die, so it doesn't matter if she got hurt a little bit, right?
It's fortunate that Kasuka was much smaller than she was, allowing her to carry her very easily.
The weight doesn't matter, as long as she could carry her, she'll do it.
Until she arrived at the place where everyone felt the most dread.
A massive door.
Saori's heart was beating mechanically, but also erratically.
At some point, she noticed that she couldn't even hear anything else because her heart was beating so loudly inside her ears.
Her breath was hitched, she had to take in multiple deep breaths just to organize herself.
'...I can still turn around right now.' She thought to herself. 'I don't need to do this, there's absolutely no benefit for me doing this.'
It's not worth it.
'But I need to do it.'
I'll regret this choice in the future.
'Who cares? I'll leave that problem to me of the future then.'
She knows you'll turn to her some day, you're simply walking in the palm of her hand.
'Then I'll fool her.'
I'll die.
'I'm not going to die.'
I'll die.
'I won't die.'
Kasuka wouldn't like this decision.
'...'
Kasuka herself was already consumed by the darkness. Why are you sending her to the source of all our suffering?
'...'
She'll hate you. She won't understand the reason you choose this route. There are many other options, why choose this one?
'...'
Vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas.
'...Vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas.'
Knock Knock
Two simple knock, yet the sound seemingly resounded across Arius District.
It felt like the entire Arius District was watching her every action right now.
That's just how much pressure this door gives out, even while being closed.
"Come in." A commanding voice resounded from within the door as it began to open by itself.
'...Gulp.'
Calming herself down, Saori stepped forward.
Since the room was set up in a weird way, she had to walk a couple of steps in first then turn left before she could see everything.
There it was, a red abomination. Red and white covered her entire body to her face. The only part showing was her mouth as a disgusting mask made of feathers with eyes imbedded deep inside them covered the upper part of her face.
Her red arms were covered in white flower-shaped pattern which covered till her fingertips.
In her hand, a single unfolded fan was pressed onto her lips.
Her long hair was pushed to the back, seeming to be a nuisance to the adult woman.
"Madam."
"Well, well. If it isn't little Saori? What brings you here?" The woman, Beatrice, responded.
"...Please. I'll do anything. Please, save her." Without hesitation, the leader of the still unfounded Arius Squad got on her knees right after she gently placed down Kasuka.
"Oh? You finally learnt how to bow your head now?" Beatrice scrutinized, snorting slightly as she turned her gaze towards the child who was poorly dressed, a messy bandage covering her head seemingly done in a haste.
'Isn't that...?'
She found this sight... intriguing.
'So, even you could look so miserable.'
"Tell me what happened to her. I'll think about what I'll do after I hear your words." Without showing a hint of her thoughts, she said such cold words to Saori.
"...Yes, Madam."
With her head still bowed low, the small child that still hasn't learn how to read began to recount back what had happened.
After telling Beatrice about the instructor and about her taking responsibility for two more children, she voiced her concern.
"But after a week, we just found out that she never got any better. We are concerned that our lack of medicinal skill could be the reason, but we also realized that this case isn't normal. We can't risk worsening it just to try and help."
Injuries that are properly contained shouldn't worsen, that's common knowledge.
Unless outside factors influenced the wound, then nothing should've caused it to worsen.
Yet, not only did Kasuka fall sick with a concerningly high temperature, none of her two major injuries had turned out for the better.
Her stomach, one that should've been the earliest to heal, had worsen.
Her head, the injury should've become smaller, or at least scabs should've covered the wound already, but no.
It became bigger and cracks in her skin began to appear.
At this rate, the injury might've already affected Kasuka's eyes without their knowledge.
...Perhaps, Kasuka already lost sight in one of her eyes, but she just never showed it.
At this thought, Saori pressed her head harder onto the ground, pleading with all her might, pushing aside all the pride she has, stepping on her own dignity.
"Please! Help her!"
"...Oh. Hm... I see. So that's the case, huh?" Mumbling to herself, Beatrice smiled slightly.
"Fine. I'll help you." Saying so, Beatrice opened her fan and covered the underside of her face, showing only the unsettling mask on her eyes.
'Welcome back, Kasuka.'
Hearing this, Saori quickly lifted her head quickly, her eyes wide.
"Really!?"
"Yes, of course. But on one condition."
"Ah... Yes... I'll do it."
"No, no. I don't need your consent on this. I'll need... hers." Beatrice glanced towards the unconscious child laying peacefully on the ground, her smile widening.
'The only reason you're looking like this... have you found another motivation?'
"Leave right now, Saori." Her tone became sharp, commanding Saori in a way that doesn't allow anyone to retort back.
Saori flinched. But even so, she didn't immediately follow orders.
Beatrice still hadn't helped Kasuka yet.
Leaving Kasuka alone in the hand of an adult would be irresponsible.
She really wanted to confirm using her own eyes that Kasuka could be healed.
But the more her eyes met the gazes of the eye-full mask on Beatrice's face, the less confident she became.
"Why are you still here?" Beatrice asked as she flapped her fan in front of her mouth.
"I... I can't leave her alone..."
"Do you not trust me, Saori?"
"..."
Saori couldn't respond. No, she shouldn't answer that question. If she did, there's no longer any space for her to run away to.
"...Understood." Standing stiffly, Saori turned around and walked away.
As the sound of a door closing could be heard, Beatrice focused her attention to the only child left in this place.
No, her gaze specifically landed on the forehead of such child.
She undid the bandages and...
"...As I thought. Perhaps, their gaze already landed on you."
Right then and there, the injury was starting to heal all on its own, visible to the naked eye. Unnaturally.
"...A perfect vessel. Even Atsuko can't compare to this."
Just as she had once envisioned.